The study of the compound, a partial agonist of the nicotinic alpha-7 receptor, is being conducted in Toronto, Canada, under a clinical trial application that Memory Pharmaceuticals filed with Health Canada.
The study is a single center, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single ascending doses of MEM 3454.
Dr David Lowe, chief scientific officer of Memory Pharmaceuticals, commented, “Initiating a phase I trial for MEM 3454 represents a significant milestone for the company and its commitment to developing a range of compounds to treat central nervous system disorders. We believe that the profile of MEM 3454 offers the potential for clinical development as an effective medicine to improve cognitive function.”
The nicotinic alpha-7 receptor is a highly specialized receptor found in the central nervous system. Compounds acting on this receptor could be beneficial in the treatment of schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Roche has the right to obtain an exclusive license for MEM 3454 following the completion of phase IIa clinical trials under Memory Pharmaceuticals’ 2003 collaboration with Roche.